Yesterday, while I was talking to a friend from Salamanca – you know, those who tell you they’re not fachas but who have a nostalgia for the unique command and the mandatory military service – he uttered one of those phrases that would make even you, Manuela, raise your eyebrows (if bitches would raise their eyebrows):

“Well, Miguel, but… Franco created the swamps . What has the PSOE done apart from stealing?”

I, who already know the percale, took a deep breath, looked at the sky as if you were there, Manuela, lying in the sun among jasmines, and I answered him with all the calm in the world:

“For now, dear… not to kill.”

🦴 Does this sound familiar, Manuela?

It’s as if instead of caressing you they kicked you, but then they say:

“Man, but I put you a new bowl. Something is something!”

🧱 Why do dictators do big and ugly things, Manuela?

Look, beautiful, this has been happening forever. All those humans with little empathy, but with a lot of desire to rule, when they come to power after killing, imprisoning or silencing their own compatriots, they need to leave something “nice” to cover up the evil they did.

So they start building. giant absurd Monumental
Not because they want to improve anyone’s life. But because they want the people to look up and not back.

📚 Lesson number 1: Franco did not invent swamps

Before Franco had a moustache, there were swamps in Spain.

• In the 1st century AD , the Romans already built Cornalvo and Proserpina in Badajoz.
• In 1594 , under Felipe II, the Pantano de Tibi in Alicante was finished.
• In 1903 , the Pantano de Foix was built, in the Penedès, when Franco was… yet to be born.
• And in 1935 , under the Second Republic, Ricobayo (Zamora) was finished, before his reign of terror began.

And many others were projected or in the works when he decided to charge the middle of Spain to save it from itself (a contradiction only understandable by those who come in black and white).

🧠 Lesson number 2: Franco inaugurated, but did not design

Yes, during the dictatorship more than 500 swamps were opened.
But they were actually made, from scratch, about 200 or 250 .

The rest came from before. And he put on the medal (literally).
Like that guest who arrives late for dinner, he eats the leftovers, and on top of that he says he cooked.

🗺️ Lesson number 3: In Catalonia we also know how to build without dictators

• The Pantano de Rialb (Lleida), the largest in Catalonia, was created by the Generalitat in 2000 .
• La Llosa del Cavall , in Solsonès, was completed in 1998 .
• The largest reservoir in Spain, La Serena (Badajoz), was finished in the 90s , already in full democracy.

So the swamps did not disappear with Franco, as some seem to believe. What died out was the custom of putting numbers on the concrete.

🏛️ Lesson number 4: All dictators do the same, my daughter

Let’s see if they sound familiar, Manuela:

• Hitler : motorways, Olympic stadiums, plans to rebuild Berlin with a 290 meter dome.
• Mussolini : entire neighborhoods of Rome razed to make fascist avenues.
• Stalin : subways decorated like palaces, canals built with slaves.
• Ceaușescu : the largest building in Europe while the people were starving.
• Saddam Hussein : pharaonic palaces with his number engraved in stone, as if he were the Messiah of the desert.
• Kim Jong-il : statues, towers, ghost hotels… while his people ate roots.

And what did they all have in common?
👉 That they killed, repressed, banned …
👉 And then they built so that they will be remembered for the marble and not for the fear.

🐶 And you, Manuela, you didn’t need swamps to be happy…

…just a shady corner, a bit of ham and lots of love.
Can you imagine yourself saying: “Okay, they abandoned me, but at least they put a statue of me”?
Well, they do the same thing with Franco.

It is the complex dictator syndrome:
As they are not going to love them, they want to be remembered.
As they have no soul, they put concrete.
Since they don’t have a town, they make temples.

📣 Final bark:

Don’t be fooled, Manuela. Don’t let us be deceived.

Franco didn’t make the swamps.
I was silent. I was afraid I killed
And then he put plates to hide.

And if someone asks “what has the PSOE done apart from stealing” , you can answer it yourself from your corner of the garden:

“Not killing is enough. Not shooting at dawn.”
Don’t build mausoleums with slaves. Don’t put your face in a trap.
And, above all, not having to justify a crime with a concrete gate.” 🐾

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

—–
If you want, you can see our weekend bonuses, retired bonuses , at an incredible price.. go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us in MasTorrencito… Click here… https://casaruralconperrosgirona.com

La entrada 🐾 “Manuela, honey… Franco didn’t make the swamps” se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

🐾 Told by Manuela, furry founder and eternal soul of Mastorrencito

Hello.
I’m Manuela The Golden Retriever.
Yes, that blonde who started it all. The one who first stole, the one who first lay down in the sun on Mastorrencito’s porch and thought:
“Here, yes. Here you can be happy.”

Today I’m talking to you from another place. A quiet one, full of shade and soft grass, where the good dogs rest. Here I am with Markos, Max, Macarena, Mastín Tirurí and Mato.
And between game and game, sometimes we look out to see what’s going on down there, where our legacy is.

The other day I dreamed something horrible. I dreamed that we were not there .
Not me, not Masto, not Mastín TIRURI, not Maky, not Mamas, not Mastitwo.
Neither us, nor the friends who come with their families, nor those who stay a few days, nor those who repeat summer after summer.

And what came… I can’t get it out of my head.

Mastorrencito was still there, yes.
The trees, the field, the wind.
Everything in its place.
But it was empty.
Like a house in which the lights have been turned off inside.

No barking was heard.
There were no races or games.
The drinking fountains were clean, yes… but full.
The beds are made.
New balls, without a single bite.

And humans… misplaced.
One of the caretakers sat on a stone with a ball in his hand. He stayed looking at her, still. Like waiting for someone to come and take it away. But no one came.

There was no movement.
There was no joy.
Only routines. Only silence.

Without us, Mastorrencito was not Mastorrencito.

It was just another rural house.
Pretty, yes. Correct.
But without a soul.

Because the soul is us.

We welcome you, set the pace of the day, turn the corridors into highways of happiness, fill the corners with life (and with hair, okay, also with hair 🐾 ).

And then I understood:

We are not an addition.
We are not an extra service.
We are the heart.

Here comes lo hablamos many times.
Markos says that without him, no one jokingly fights over a branch.
Macarena says that the cushions on the sofa are too tidy.
Max says that without his snoring naps, the silence is annoying.
Mato only wants a ball, but he also misses the hustle.

And I…
I think of Masto, Maky, Mamas, Mastitwo.
Those who are still down there.
Those who now hold that place.
And I’m glad they are.

Because without them, it wouldn’t be a home.
It would just be a nice place.
And that’s not enough.

Therefore, if you are reading this, and you are lucky enough to be there with one of them, or to spend a few days with your dog in Mastorrencito…
Look at it.
Caress it even though it’s muddy.
Let her get on the couch if she wants to.
Hold the barking.
And smile when you find hairs on your clothes.
Because that means we are .
And while we are, everything still makes sense.

With love, forever,
Manuela
Golden, founder, pampering boss, and invisible guardian of that place we call home 🐶 ❤️

REFLECTION

What if we lived without hair… or dogs?

The house would be clean.
The impeccable sofas.
The carpets without footprints.
And the car, finally, without that coat of hair that looks like part of the upholstery.

Yes, everything would be fine.
But the essential would be missing.

No one would run out to greet you as if you were returning from a war, even if you only went to get bread.
No one would fall at your feet without asking for anything.
No one would look at you as if you were, literally, their whole world .

Without dogs, we would have more time…
but fewer reasons to leave the house.
More space…
but less desire to fill it.
More silence…
but less comfort.

Without those hairs that stick to your clothes, there would be no trace of anyone who accompanies you unconditionally.
Without that lament behind the door, there would be no one to notice when you are sad.
Without that four-legged companion, routine would be just that: routine. Without pauses, without surprises, without that silly joy of seeing a queue move.

We can vacuum the house.
We can remove the hair from our clothes.
But we should not aspire to a life without them.

Because living without hair is possible.
But living without dogs…
it’s something else.

A cleaner one, yes.
But also emptier.

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

—–
If you want, you can see our weekend bonuses, retired bonuses , at an incredible price.. go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us in MasTorrencito… Click here… https://casaruralconperrosgirona.com

La entrada “If we weren’t…” se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

Sometimes you think you’ve seen it all… until the French arrive.

Yesterday, for example, a couple landed in Mas Torrencito that looked like something out of a surrealist comedy, but without the script, without rehearsals… and without grace. They arrived two hours earlier than expected, because of course, punctuality is for the mediocre. Me, as a good host, smiling and ready to teach them everything with love. Naive of me

I show them the bar. She looks away. I show her the beers, and she “¡Frescoes!” , I show them the soft drinks, and “What about the wine?” , I bring out the wine, and “What about breakfast?” … My mother! It was like playing trivia with someone who answers questions from another game.

And I con mi mejor face of “todo bien, todo correcto, y yo que me alegro”, while the man, who looked more handsome, asked him to shut up in a language that even God no longer understood.

We went out into the patio and suddenly I let out a scream—literally, a scream—that almost made my soul jump out of my body. Me with a scared rabbit face and her asking if the dogs “bite and attack” . Excuse me? Are we on a safari? In Jurassic Park ? Where does he think he came, to a rural house or the lion’s cage?

I translate it with Google: “Have they been attacked or bitten since they arrived??” Answer: “No”. Sure, ma’am, because they don’t. Because they are dogs, yes. But polite Which, viso lo viso, some people don’t.

I was about to write it also in the translator: “Y las personas, ¿murden e interrupten siempre así?”, but I restrained myself. Because one is rural, yes, but diplomatic.

When we finally arrive at the dining room, new episode of the show: “What’s for breakfast? Do they have unicorn milk? Croissants brought from Paris on the back of a French snail?” . But lady, if they haven’t even taken off their shoes yet!

I show you the room. Of course, they had reserved the cheapest one, but she, who had the agility of a sack of potatoes filled with arrogance, couldn’t even fit in her own ego. So I offered them one with a terrace, to see if the air lowered the decibels.

Finally they say they will not dine here. That they are going to Figueres. There each one with his karma. I say goodbye politely and go to the kitchen. Five minutes later, there is a knock on the door. The man shows me his cell phone with a message worthy of the Nobel Prize for Despair: “No le gusta.” We’re going.”

So As if they were Michelin stars who have not found their level of sophistication among happy dogs, olive trees and countryside.

I looked out the window and he was already in the parking lot. She was walking halfway down the road, staggering as if her soul had also left her body… but without haste, no dogs, no dignity.

And yes, they left. And I breathed. Hondo

Final reflection:

Sometimes we think that dogs are the ones who should be on a leash. But no…
Sometimes it would be better to put a muzzle on the ego, a leash on the manners and a chip on the empathy.
Because if you come to the countryside expecting the cinco estrellas hotel protocol, without respect, without listening, without opening up to the place… maybe the problem is not the place. It’s because you’re making too much noise inside to listen to the beautiful silence of the environment.

And hey… that sometimes, it’s better to be empty… than full of people who don’t know how to be. 🐾

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

—–
If you want, you can see our weekend bonuses, retired bonuses , at an incredible price.. go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us in MasTorrencito… Click here

La entrada Chronicle of an Absurdly French Reception se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

I slowed down and stopped on the shoulder. Another car, which was coming behind, did the same. A young man came down from him, with a worried expression.

– Did you see it too? he asked while pointing to the little dog.

– Yes, poor thing. It seems he’s been like this for days… but he doesn’t trust anyone – I answered, observing how the animal took a few steps away from us.

The little dog grunted softly, with his body bent over and his tail between his paws. There was no aggressiveness in him, only a profound fear.

– What are we doing? asked the man. His number, I later learned, was Alex.

“I think I have some food in the car, maybe we can approach little by little,” he suggested.

I opened the door and searched among the shopping bags… I remembered having bought sausages for breakfast… I’m sure he would like that…. I approached carefully again, kneeling on the ground so as not to scare him. Alex did the same, and together we spread the sausages towards the dog.

– Calm down, little one. We’re not going to hurt you, come…” I whispered.

Several eternal minutes passed. The dog sniffed the air, retreated, approached again. He seemed to be debating between his hunger and his fear. Finally, he takes the first step, nibbling on a piece of sausage that Alex had left on the floor. then another And another

“That’s it, good boy… nothing’s wrong,” said Alex, with a soft voice.

When he was close enough, I managed to caress his head. He shuddered at first, but didn’t run away. Little by little, we managed to lift him and put him in the car. Although still trembling, he seemed exhausted, as if he had finally decided to trust.

– It’s ugly, but it has something that steals your heart, right? – I joked, while caressing his tangled strands of hair.

-Totally. It’s like Pumuky, an adorable mess – laughed Alex.

We took him to Judith, my veterinarian in Bàscara. The diagnosis was clear: malnourished, full of dirt, but, surprisingly, he had a chip. Judith looked at us with a smile when she finished scanning it.

– He has a mistress. I’m going to call her right now.

A few hours later, we received a call from the owner. It was a woman called Dolors, with a voice trembling with emotion.

– I can’t believe it! Is it really my Max? he asked on the phone.

– Yes, he is here with us. It’s good, but a little thin. You can come to por él when you want… – I answered.

– Of course! I’m in the Balearic Islands, but I take the first flight. I will be at home tonight. Please give me your location so I can pick it up.

We agreed to meet in MasTorrencito. While we waited, we bathed the puppy, gave him food and water, and covered him with a blanket. Little by little, his gaze changed. From that initial sadness, a glimmer of hope began to emerge.

That night, when Clara arrived, the scene was unforgettable. Max recognized it instantly. As soon as he got out of the car, the dog started barking, howling and jumping for joy. He ran towards her, who knelt down with tears rolling down her cheeks.

-Max! My little Max! – she exclaimed between sobs, while hugging him tightly.

The little dog kept licking his face, wagging his tail like a madman. All those who were on the terrace of Mas Torrencito watched the scene with smiles and glassy eyes. Some clients even applauded.

Clara looked at us, with Max still in her arms.

— I don’t know how to thank them. I thought I would never see him again. I’ve been looking for him for six months… I couldn’t sleep thinking about him. I looked for him all over the Empordà, put up posters, talked to all the shelters, but nothing. I thought I had lost it forever.

He told us how Max had disappeared from his house in Vilaur. He didn’t know if it had been lost or if someone had stolen it. He had been his companion for years and his absence had left a void that was impossible to fill.

“It’s a miracle they found him,” he said, with a grateful smile and his face still wet with tears.

• Well… it was a coincidence… I said…

The next morning, Clara surprised us with a beautiful gesture. We received a package full of bottles of cava and boxes of chocolates, not only for us, but also for the guests of Mas Torrencito.

—This is not enough to thank them for what they have done, but I hope they know how much it means to me. Max is my family, and you have given him back to me.

Max, meanwhile, was not separated from Clara for even a second. His look, now bright and cheerful, was proof that all the effort had been worth it.

And so, that day ended with smiles, hugs and the certainty that miracles happen, even on the loneliest paths.

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

—–
If you want, you can see our bonuses for weekends, retired bonuses , at an incredible price.. enter www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us at Mas Torrencito… Click here

La entrada “An Encounter on the Camino” by MasTorrencito se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

There was a time when rural tourism was a real luxury for the soul. Imagine: a stone house in a lost corner of the world, a homemade breakfast with grandma’s jam, and a silence broken only by the singing of the birds. It was almost a revolutionary act: disconnecting, breathing fresh air and feeling part of a landscape that seemed taken from a fairy tale.

Today, the landscape has changed. And we’re not talking about a small plot twist, no: it’s as if rural tourism had mutated into a kind of Frankenstein industry that threatens to devour the very towns that welcomed it. But let’s go for parts, because there’s a lot of fabric to cut. 😤

1. The problem of numbers: more houses than inhabitants

Do you know how many tourist accommodations there are in Vilademuls? Toma asiento: 30 rural houses and 32 HUTs (Housing for Tourist Use) . For a small town, it is as if each house had its own business. And in Camprodon, things do not improve: 11 rural houses and, attention, ¡ 183 HUTs ! But what is this? A competition of who can put more beds per square meter?

And of course, it’s not just the quantity. It is that the HUTs do not play by the same rules as us, those who manage real rural houses. While we deal with:

• Self-employed, Social Security and impossible quotas.
• Quarterly VAT returns.
• Corporate tax, annual accounts and audits.
• Inspections and quality controls.

HUTs simply declare what they earn as “extra income” in their income . No freelancers, no VAT, no nothing. It’s as if they were ghost businesses!

2. The impact on the towns: welcome to rural chaos

Now imagine that you live in a town of 300 inhabitants. Until a few years ago, the worst thing that could happen was that a chicken sneaked into your garden. But now, every weekend, that town turns into a kind of traveling fair with 1,000 people who come, occupy, get dirty and then leave.

The result:

• Overflowing containers . The trash generated by these accommodations is brutal, but the municipal services are not designed to support that volume. And who pays the duck? The neighbors, of course.
• Noises at all hours . Because what comes from the city wants to party: loud music, nightly barbecues and laughter that can be heard throughout the region. Rural peace, in a deep coma.
• Collapse of services . Water, electricity, waste collection… Everything falls short before this avalanche of tourists. And the worst: these “weekend visitors” contribute nothing to the municipality. No taxes, no income for local businesses. Only problems.

3. Fiscal inequality: David versus Goliath

This is where the big elephant in the room comes in: booking portals such as Booking, Airbnb, Expedia and others. These platforms have turned tourism into a globalized market where anything goes. But do you know where they are registered? In tax havens . They don’t pay taxes, but we, the little entrepreneurs, continue to bleed for every euro we earn.

On top of that, we have to charge the tourist the famous tourist tax . One euro per night and per person which, it is supposed, should be returned to the town. But where does that money end up? Spoiler: not in the village . It is as if they made us collect a revolutionary tax that does not benefit anyone, except the bureaucratic machinery.

4. The trap of HUTs: a business without controls

HUTs are like that neighbor who makes bottles at home and never collects anything. They operate under a kind of “free will”, because:

1. They are not registered as companies . They only declare the fair as “extra income”.
2. They do not have quality inspections . Heating? Fire extinguishers? Security? That’s okay…
3. They do not contribute to the municipality . Not in taxes, not in investments. But they use public services as if they were their own.

If that wasn’t enough, many HUTs are illegal . In Girona, for example, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of accommodations that are not even registered. And who controls this? Exactly: nobody.

5. Long-term consequences: an unsustainable model

If we continue like this, this has no future. Rural tourism as we know it is in danger of extinction. Why? Because the current model is not sustainable :

• The towns become saturated, the neighbors get fed up and the rural charm disappears.
• Services collapse and natural resources degrade.
• Legal accommodation cannot compete with illegal or “pirates”.

In the end, the only ones who win are the big platforms and the owners who play the fiscal hideout. And that is not rural tourism. That is covert exploitation .

6. And now what?

We cannot stand idly by. Here are some ideas to save what is left of rural tourism:

1. Serious and strict regulation . If it’s a business, tax as such. HUTs, rural houses, whatever: same rules for all.
2. Limitation of places . A small town cannot be overcrowded. You have to set limits.
3. Investments in the towns . The taxes generated by tourism should stay in the municipality, not be lost in the bureaucracy.
4. Control of portals . The platforms must pay taxes like any company that operates in our country.
5. Promotion of responsible tourism . Quality over quantity. Tourism that respects the environment and adds value, no noise and litter.

Rural tourism still has hope, but only if we act now. Because if not, what is today a refuge for the soul will become a nightmare scenario. And nobody wants that.

In short: if we don’t change course, rural tourism, as we know it, will end up being a memory. The solution? Regulation, respect and, above all, balance. Because towns are meant to be lived in… not to be blown up. 🌿 💔

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

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Si quieres, puede ver nuestros bonos para fines de semana, bonos jubilados , a un precio increíble.

La entrada RIP Rural Tourism by MasTorrencito se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

If you’re here, you probably have the same problem as me: you have those types of people on your social networks who turn any post, story or comment into an epic drama. Yes, I am talking about bitter people who seem to live exclusively to criticize you, as if your life and your publications were an exam that you will never pass.

The dog in the creek: the catastrophe that never happened

Imagine the scene: I upload a video of my happy dogs playing in a stream. For me, it’s a moment of pure joy, something beautiful to share with whoever wants to see it. But there they are, ready to ruin it:

• “Don’t you realize that you can drown?”
• “This is reckless.”

Of course, it doesn’t matter that I’m nearby, watching, and that behind the dog there’s a safe beach where something could happen even if I didn’t want to. Ah, no! They have already obtained the diploma of “expert@s in tragedies” and they judge you as if you were recording the Titanic sinking live.

Children, dogs and the social apocalypse

Another day, I upload a video where a child plays with a dog. Guess what? For me it’s something cute, innocent, full of tenderness. But no, he sees it as a global threat:

• “That should not be allowed.”
• “You’re invading the dog’s space.”
• “There could be an accident.”

Really? Can’t you imagine that I know the dog, the child and the context? Of course there could be an accident, but if we lived with that fear, we wouldn’t even go out to buy bread. According to him, everything you do is wrong because it could go wrong.

The queen of the call effect

She had a follower (now blocked, thank God) who was a pro at attracting more people like her. If he said something, no matter how minimal, others would comment in the same tone. And that turned into a toxic forum where it seemed like they were solving the world’s problems… in my post. It was surreal. Once, this same person was outraged by a story that wasn’t even mine. I shared it because I thought it was funny, and his reaction was:

• “I’m not even fucking funny!”

And then he unfollowed me. My reaction? laugh at me I didn’t know her, I didn’t even know who she was, and honestly, I didn’t care. But there I realized something important: these people take to the networks as if it were a personal fight, while I just want to share simple and fun things.

The great cleaning of followers

This led me to make a decision: delete thousands of followers who did not contribute anything. 8,000, to be exact. Yes, 8,000 accounts that Meta confirmed to me were ghosts or toxic. It was liberating. Because, in the end, I don’t care about numbers or likes; what I want is to surround myself with good vibes.

The case of the “misleading” offer

Another moment worth mentioning was YESTERDAY, when I published a very clear offer for THIS WEEKEND: 25 euros per night, minimum two nights and two people. Easy, right? Well, no. Read one and write to me:

• “It’s misleading advertising.”
• “Why?”
• “Because I want a night and he doesn’t leave me.”
• “The offer lasts for two nights, not one.”
• And does breakfast come in?
• No, it’s just accommodation…..
• “This is bullshit and a scam…”

That’s the end of the conversation. I don’t know if people read, don’t understand, or simply like to complicate life. But in this case, it became clear to me that you can’t reason with someone who already comes with the predisposition to hate you.

Life is free, scroll too

Something I will never understand is why these people follow someone if they don’t like what they do. If I see something that bothers me or doesn’t contribute to me, I simply ignore it. Why don’t they do the same? It’s as if they were emotional masochists, looking for things to get angry about.

I, for my part, have neither time nor energy to enter into absurd debates. If you don’t like something, don’t follow me, don’t read me, don’t look at me. It’s free! But, for some reason, they insist on staying there, as if it were their divine mission to criticize everything.

Blocking: the divine tool

And here we reach the real power: the blockade. Blocking is like cleaning the house; you get rid of the accumulated dirt and you are left with a cleaner, quieter space. Can you imagine if we could block toxic people in real life? Noisy neighbors, toxic co-workers, annoying strangers… all gone with a simple click.

Conclusion: live and let live

Life is already complicated enough to carry the negativity of bitter people. I choose to stay with people who bring something positive, who know how to enjoy a dog in the water or a happy child playing. To the others, I wish you luck and that you find something that makes you smile. But if they don’t, it’s not my problem either.

In the end, networks are a reflection of life: you can choose what affects you and what doesn’t. And I choose not to let anyone embitter me. If you don’t like what I do, what I think or what I share, remember: “The scroll is free, cariño” .

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

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Si quieres, puede ver nuestros bonos para fines de semana, bonos jubilados , a un precio increíble.

La entrada L@s Amargad@s of MasTorrencito’s Social Networks se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

• Many municipalities propose to implement an annual fee for the ownership of pets
• Experts explain that the measure would be viable if there was a “contraprestación por el pago de ese impuesto”
• Bringing your pet to work: the new ‘petfriendly’ policies of many companies

Pets have become the best life partner of the human being. According to the latest data from the INE, 43% of Spanish households have a pet , a figure that only increases over the years. As Maialen Larrinaga and Montse Ávila report in the video, in countries like Germany or Switzerland, pet owners pay an annual fee to have a pet. In several localities in our country, that possibility has again been put on the table, generating a great controversy among the population.

Several town councils in the peninsula have focused these days on pet owners with the aim of implementing a pet tax . This new measure would fully affect pet owners, who also face an average of 1,400 euros in annual expenses for the maintenance of their pet, including veterinary costs, food, cleaning and toys.

Pet owners require services in exchange for paying the tax

This type of tax was tried to be implemented in Zamora five years ago, but it failed. The possibility of introducing this tax, which is already in effect in certain European countries, has brought about a great debate between pet owners and the population in general: “To me, it seems good that they have dogs, but with certain order and maintaining the basic rules of coexistence”, explains a neighbor of Bilbao.

Many owners agree with the implementation of the tax, as long as they bring a consideration or service for their pets: “A dog tax seems good to me always and when you have a right , don’t pay to pay” . Álvaro Mateos , president of the Basque College of Veterinarians, explains that the measure “would always be viable and when there was then a countervailing duty on the part of the administrations for the payment of that tax, which is what they have in Germany and other countries. In other words, there are facilities and there are indeed services for those animals”.

Should administrations or animal owners pay the tax?

Many owners wonder if the tax should be paid by their own administrations or by the owners of the pets, generating a great controversy after the disbursement that the Animal Welfare Law involves: “What they have found is an animal welfare law that has to hacer frente a ella by logically originating a disbursement . And now they pretend that people who can have a pet pay for this”.

Article 30 of that law, which was implemented in March of last year, states that “in the case of keeping dogs and throughout the life of the animal, the owner must contract and maintain in force a civil liability insurance for damages to third parties, which includes in its coverage the persons responsible for the animal, for an amount sufficient to cover the possible costs derived, which will be established by regulation”.

In the short term, the measure is not expected to go ahead, but many municipalities already see it as a possibility in the future.

Source: Redacción digital Noticias Cuatro

From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs accompany you!!!!

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If you want, you can see our weekend vouchers, retired vouchers , at an incredible price…go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us at Mas Torrencito… Click here

La entrada Controversy over the possible implementation of a tax on pets: what do the owners think? se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

Estaba en la cocina, ocupado en mis cosas, cuando el sonido del teléfono rompió la quietud de la mañana. Respondí sin muchas expectativas. Era una voz desconocida, educada y con tono serio.

—Buenas, quería preguntar por la disponibilidad de su casa para alquilarla entera —dijo el hombre sin más preámbulos.

Sorprendido, sonreí ante la idea de un alquiler completo; no ocurría a menudo, y menos en febrero.

—Por supuesto —respondí con entusiasmo—. La casa está disponible, dígame, ¿para cuándo la necesitarían?

—Quizá hoy mismo —respondió el hombre, como si no quisiera perder el tiempo—. ¿La casa está bien aislada?

Esa pregunta me extrañó un poco, pero respondí tranquilo.

—Sí, muy aislada. Estamos en mitad del campo, y la propiedad está completamente vallada. Aquí no llega nadie sin invitación.

Hubo un breve silencio, y luego la voz continuó con un tono inquisitivo, casi paranoico.

—¿Y tiene vecinos cercanos?

—No, nadie en varios kilómetros a la redonda —dije, empezando a notar una ligera incomodidad. ¿Quién querría tanta privacidad?

Y mas preguntas… Una Noche de Intriga en Mas Torrencito: La Reunión Secreta que Cambió Todo

Las preguntas continuaron. Si había perros, si alguna vez entraba alguien sin avisar, si yo mismo pasaba a menudo por allí. Cuando le sugerí mirar la web para ver fotos de la casa y hacerse una idea, pareció calmarse un poco.

—Sí, miraremos el sitio y le aviso en un rato —respondió—. Ah, y por cierto, ¿no habrá problema con los perros, no?

Solté una risa breve.

—En absoluto. Son cuatro, y lo único que harán es pedirle mimos —le aseguré.

—Perfecto. Nos hablamos en breve entonces.

Cuando colgamos, volví a mis tareas con cierta curiosidad. Me pareció un cliente un poco… peculiar. Por algún motivo, mi mente divagó, y de fondo, la televisión continuaba con su monótono parloteo. Eran tiempos complicados aquí en Catalunya, el Procés estaba en su punto más álgido, y yo, que me consideraba partidario de Puigdemont, no podía dejar de preguntarme en qué acabaría todo aquello. Pensar en que la gente terminaba en la cárcel por querer votar me indignaba; me parecía un despropósito. Pero dejé de lado aquellos pensamientos y volví a mi día a día.

No mucho tiempo después, el teléfono sonó de nuevo. Miré la pantalla: era el mismo número de antes.

—Mastorrencito, dígame —contesté, reconociendo su voz de inmediato.

—Soy yo, el que llamó antes. Hemos decidido alquilar la casa. Nos interesa mucho la privacidad.

Sentí una ola de alivio. Sería una buena suma, sobre todo en una temporada en la que pocas reservas aparecían. Febrero no solía ser un mes rentable.

—¡Perfecto! —le respondí—. ¿Para cuándo la necesitarían y cuántos días?

—Esta misma noche, si es posible. Nos quedaríamos hasta pasado mañana. ¿Hay algún problema?

—Ninguno, por supuesto. —Sonreí, satisfecho—. Solo dígame lo que necesitan, alojamiento y desayuno, comidas, cenas…

—Todo, queremos que esté todo incluido. Ah, y que nadie venga a la casa. Queremos estar completamente solos para poder tratar ciertos temas lejos del bullicio. ¿Será posible?

—No se preocupe, que no entra ni el tato —le aseguré—. Si hace falta, yo mismo me encargaré de todo sin molestarles.

El hombre pareció satisfecho.

—Perfecto. ¿Cómo te pago? ¿Bizum, transferencia?

—Lo primero que necesito es saber cuántas personas serán, para prepararlo todo.

—Hmm… ¿Cuántas habitaciones tienes? —preguntó en un tono vago, como si aún no supiera los detalles exactos.

—Nueve en total: cuatro dobles, cuatro triples y una suite. —Le escuché calcular en silencio, algo dubitativo.

—De acuerdo, prepararlas todas. No sé cuántos se quedarán a dormir finalmente.

Accedí sin más preguntas y le di el precio, 140 euros por habitación, pensión completa, acceso libre a las instalaciones. Me dio un nombre para la reserva: Joan Miquel Figueres. Colgamos, y de inmediato me puse en marcha para prepararlo todo. Llamé a Meme para que estuviera lista para las comidas y cenas, encendí las chimeneas y revisé cada habitación para asegurarme de que estuvieran impecables. En un rato, recibí la notificación de un bizum: 3.780 euros. Aquello me dejó asombrado; jamás había recibido una cantidad tan alta de golpe, y menos a través de bizum. Parecía casi irreal, pero allí estaba, en mi cuenta.

Los primeros invitados. Una Noche de Intriga en Mas Torrencito: La Reunión Secreta que Cambió Todo

Llegaron las siete de la tarde y, justo a la hora, un coche apareció en la entrada. Un hombre bajó del auto, vestido de manera impecable y con un porte elegante. Al acercarse, se presentó con voz firme:

—Joan Miquel, un placer. Gracias por acogernos en tu casa.

Me guió hacia la entrada, y comencé a enseñarle la casa. Parecía muy complacido con cada detalle, y al llegar al chill out, sonaba de fondo la “Cançó de Llibertat” de Lluis Llach. La reconoció al instante y sonrió con cierta nostalgia.

—Ostia, Llach… ¿te gusta? —me preguntó.

—Sí, muchísimo. Llach siempre ha sido la banda sonora de nuestra historia aquí —le respondí sinceramente, sintiendo la misma nostalgia.

—Tiene esa capacidad de conectar con lo que sentimos todos… Aunque ahora parece que nos quieren hacer olvidar lo importante, ¿no?

Asentí en silencio, y ambos nos quedamos mirando el paisaje, inmenso y libre bajo el cielo que comenzaba a oscurecer. Tras un rato de silencio, él cambió de tema y preguntó por mis perros. Los llamé desde el patio y, al verlos, Joan Miquel se acercó a ellos con naturalidad, acariciándolos como si los conociera de toda la vida.

Poco después, se despidió asegurándome que sus amigos llegarían más tarde. Las horas fueron pasando y, al atardecer, vi cómo otros coches aparecían. Uno tras otro se estacionaron en la explanada. Algunos llevaban maletas, otros parecían simplemente listos para una charla tranquila. Desde una esquina, los observé acercarse, formando un grupo de rostros que, de alguna manera, se me hacían familiares.

Fue entonces cuando lo vi. Entre el grupo de hombres y mujeres que caminaban hacia la casa, había una figura inconfundible. Por un momento, no pude creerlo. Estaba allí, con el rostro serio, caminando entre ellos.

Era él. ……

Continuará…

Desde Mas Torrencito os deseamos un FELIZ DOMINGO!!! y que vuestr@s perr@s os acompañe!!!!

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Si quieres, podeis ver nuestros bonos para fines de semana, bonos jubilados ,a un precio increíble..entra en www.mastorrencito.com o si quieres podéis leer más historia y anécdotas que nos han pasado en Mas Torrencito… Haz click aqui :

La entrada A Night of Intrigue at Mas Torrencito: The Secret Meeting that Changed Everything se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.

Our “conversation”. The advice of Manuela de Mas Torrencito

Manuela : “You know, Miguel? Life with a dog, with any dog, changes everything. Even the simplest things. It’s as if the world had another color… or at least another aroma.”
I looked at it, a little incredulous and quite amused. Sometimes I think my imagination goes to astral levels. But who am I to stop a good dog talk!

Miguel : “Another aroma? Manuela, if I had your smell, life would be a daily detective novel, between traces and mysteries. But, how can a dog change so much?”

Manuela : “You don’t understand. A dog doesn’t just smell aromas; it feels emotions. Have you seen how when you enter the house you give me a caress, even though you’ve had a crazy day? That’s not just routine, Miguel, because your heart knows that here, with me, you can be yourself.”

I thought about how many times Manuela had been by my side, without asking me for anything more than a look or a smile.

Miguel : “So, are you telling me that having a dog is a kind of emotional therapy?”

Manuela (smiling like only a dog knows how to do it): “More or less. But we are also good at reminding you that every day is an adventure. When we were young and running around the field, didn’t you feel that, for a moment, you were like a niño? That, dear Miguel, is a gift. The youth, the wonder… they recover with each walk, with each game.”

I pondered for a second. So many moments in which, in the middle of the day, a simple ball game had made me laugh. Or the way Manuela had always made me slow down and focus on the present moment.

Miguel : “But that’s not all, right? You’re also masters of patience. Manuela, how many times have you stayed with me when I’ve had to face bad days, like that winter in which the business almost falls to pieces?”

Manuela : “That’s our vocation, Miguel. We know when to stay silent. Sometimes, a good companion just has to be. That’s it, that’s all. Humans always talk and think about how to fix things, to have the answers. We , instead, we know that there is no siempre hay que hacer. A veces basta con ser .”

innate wisdom The advice of Manuela de Mas Torrencito

My eyes clouded a little when I heard his words. I felt that every sentence of Manuela carried a wisdom that not even the wisest philosopher could surpass.

Miguel : “It’s as if… as if having a dog were also a way to learn to be a better person. You make me remember what really matters.”

Manuela : “Exactly. But you’re not wrong either, Miguel. It wouldn’t hurt to be more generous with the breakfast sausages every now and then.”

We laughed, and silence once again covered the farmhouse. In the darkness of the night, I understood that Manuela, with her discreet presence and wise eyes, had taught me to live with less expectations and more acceptance. And perhaps, after all, there were no better therapists than dogs: they teach us to live in the moment, to appreciate the little things and to remember that, no matter what happens, the best place in the world is where the heart is, beating rhythm of a friendly bark.

Miguel : “Thank you, Manuela. For each lesson, for each moment, and yes… I promise you an extra sausage for breakfast.”

Manuela : “And maybe a little bread, too. That a dog needs energy to continue teaching.”

And between laughter and promises, I understood that every day by his side was a jewel. Because dogs, as Manuela well knows, are the perfect reminder that life is simple, warm and wonderful. We just need to remember it.

From Mas Torrencito we wish you a good day and may your dog accompany you!!!!

—–
If you want, you can see our bonuses for weekends, retired bonuses , at an incredible price…go to www.mastorrencito.com or if you want you can read more history and anecdotes that have happened to us at Mas Torrencito… Click here :

La entrada The advice of Manuela de Mas Torrencito (1) se publicó primero en Casa Rural con Perros Girona.